Three E. coli Outbreaks Announced Over.
Nearly 4 months after being announced the multi-state E. coli O157: H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce has been announced as over. The multi-state outbreak which sickened 167 people in 27 states was officially announced over by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 15, 2020, but the good news didn’t end there along with the announcement new information was provided to the public about the end of 2 separate E. coli outbreaks. The final update on the outbreak was provided by both the FDA and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the new update informed the public that the three outbreaks were linked to the same farm in Salinas Valley, CA.
The final updates on the 3 outbreaks showed that a total of 188 people were affected: 167 in the multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157: H7 linked to Romaine Lettuce, 11 in the Washington State E. coli outbreak, and 10 in the E. coli Outbreak Linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits. No deaths were reported as linked to either of the outbreaks but half of the reported cases required hospitalization. The earliest reported case of the multi- state outbreak was on September 20, 2019, and the last case was on December 21, 2019.
In their investigation the FDA sent investigators to the farm, but because the growing season for romaine lettuce had already ended the fields had been plowed and no samples of the lettuce had been left growing. Environmental samples of the soil, compost, and water were taken to analyze but according to the FDA, none of the samples tested so far have come back positive for any of the strains of E. coli linked the outbreaks. The FDA was able to discover a separate strain of E. coli in a soil sample taken from the farm, but it was determined to be of low risk to people.
The FDA has announced that for this year’s lettuce planting, growing, and harvesting season they will conduct a root cause investigation. The investigation will be done to prevent and understand foodborne illnesses linked to leafy greens. Although the outbreak has been announced as over those affected by it should contact a food poisoning lawyer as soon as they can to seek regal advice.
For more information on E. coli Outbreaks linked to Romaine Lettuce, to speak to an E. coli Lawyer, or to inquire about an E. coli Lawsuit, call 1-888-335-4901.
